What is a dicot?

A dicot, short for dicotyledon, is an angiosperm (flowering plant) characterized by having two seed leaves or cotyledons. This feature is a fundamental distinction within the plant kingdom that helps classify flowering plants into two main groups: monocots and dicots. Monocots, as the name suggests, have one seed leaf, while dicots have two. This difference affects various aspects of plant development, including leaf structure, root systems, and vascular organization.

In dicots, the two cotyledons typically emerge at germination and sometimes play a role in the initial photosynthesis before true leaves develop. This trait is an important factor for botanists and plant scientists when identifying and studying plant species. Additionally, many common food plants, such as beans, peas, and roses, fall into the dicot category, highlighting their significance in agriculture and horticulture.